We hear so much about partnering with our horses and the overabundance
of techniques for gaining that partnership, or sometimes perceived partnership.
Most of these discussed and sought after practices for producing partnership
are centered on training the horse. I believe that just may be backwards. I’ve
often written about my deep dislike for round penning, and any other technique
that “teaches” the horse. From the first instant a horse meets a person they
get them. And as the old saying goes, “It takes a long time to overcome a bad
first impression.” But horses also analyze every step of the way, and they
remember everything. Forever.

How can we achieve a deep, trusting and caring partnership
with our horse? Easy, we earn it. In everything we do with our horses we should
ask, not demand. Remember horses are keen preceptors of feelings, signals and vibes.
That’s why what we say, and how we say it matters so very much. Don’t believe
me? Try this, think of the word “stupid”—and concentrate on how your body and
energy feel. Now think of the words “good boy”—and concentrate on how your body
and energy feel. Big difference right?

I’m always amazed at people who act and speak rudely to
their horses, I hope most of us are. Not all that uncommon though is it? What
about folks who are sweet as pie with their horse, until something goes in a
direction that person did not want? Then the sweetness falls from the pretense
and rudeness, demands, or condescension come out and the horse is called, lazy,
stupid, stubborn, unwilling, and actions, body language and vibes come with those words.
And the horse hears, feels and sees them—and becomes confused ... Which person
do I follow?

That confusion chips away at trust, and trust is the
keystone to any partnership.

I believe to achieve a deep, trusting and caring partnership
with our horse; politeness must be the very foundation on which we build. When
I hold a clinic before we begin I always explain, in everything we do we will
be polite, and there will be no discipline.

In everything we do, if we are polite in our actions and
words our horse will pick up on that, and bond with us in a way that far surpasses
any training technique that focuses on demands, and a power play.

Always conducting ourselves in a manner rooted in politeness
also teaches the horse to be polite, willing and trusting. It really is that
simple.

Gitty Up ~ Dutch Henry

I invite you to have a look at my book, "It's for the Horses: An advocate's musings on their needs, spirit, gifts and care," here www.itsforthehorses.com

Welcome to the Coffee Clutch

Welcome to the Coffee Clutch, a happy place to visit. I write uplifting stories about a wide variety of subjects from horses to birds and nature, to love and family and friends. Sometimes I'll post excerpts from stories I've written for Equine Publications. Sometimes I'll post about writing itself. Coffee Clutch got its name because I often write while enjoying my morning coffee in the barn with my mare Kessy, and all our critters. Join us here for fun conversation and stories I promise will make you feel good.

It's For The Horses

This is not a book about riding, or training horses. It is a book on my thoughts, ideas and suggestions on how folks might find the joy in doing things for the horse, with the horses’ point of view as the leading guide. My hope is to help as many people as possible learn to hear the horse, feel their spirit, and in that way help horses everywhere. Over the years I’ve met and worked with remarkable people and horses who taught me about their feelings, their joys, their sadness, and their spirit. As a horse advocate everything I do is from the horse’s perspective, including this little book. Every story, idea, suggestion and thought on these pages will be to suggest and share thoughts and ideas on how to maximize a relationship between horse and human—from the horse’s point of view.

Tom Named by Horse

The only man ever to offer Tom respect is Red Cloud. The only woman to give him love is Red Cloud’s granddaughter. Struggling with his own personal demons, Tom finds himself wedged between honoring that friendship and staying true to the depths of his conscience. Amid a backdrop of tumultuous social upheaval, he finds nothing prepared him, the woman he loves or Chief Red Cloud, for the changes about to thunder into their lives, sweeping them helplessly into the tides of human conflict and historical drama. Available on Amazon.

From The Banks OF Little Bear Creek

The Tom Named by Horse Saga continues. Three years after the death of Tall Dog, Tom Named By Horse and Soft Cloud have turned the little soddy, the lands granted them by Red Cloud, and the lean-to barn into a thriving horse ranch, fulfilling Tom’s dream. The Plains Indians Wars, or Red Cloud’s war, is mostly behind them, and the lands have had their transformation as Red Cloud’s vision had warned years earlier. Trailing horses from the ranch to Denver city has become an annual event for Tom, Buck and the rest, and this is the story of that trail. In the spirit of a good old John Wayne movie, vengeance, cattle and horse thieves, a dirty sheriff and corrupt mayor, and a wedding make this year’s drive a ride you’ll want to tag along on.

We'll Have The Summer

My first novel WE'LL HAVE THE SUMMER is available at www.amazon.com "We'll Have The Summer" is a story of a deep and enduring love and how that love helps a battered woman and her abused daughter learn to embrace life from a dying woman and a sick horse.

Therapy for Therapy Horses Clinics

I offer CLINICS I call, "Therapy For Therapy Horses," to therapeutic riding centers because therapy horses can use a little therapy too ... If you know of a therapeutic riding center whose horses might like a little therapy please contact me.

Join My Newsletter

Want more stories, pictures and announcements? Join my monthly newsletter. I’ll be chatting about upcoming books and novels, stories I’m working on and I’ll write short stories just for folks on the newsletter. I’ll also be doing free giveaways of my books! Click here to Join our newsletter, be part of the fun and tell your friends.

About Me

I am a freelance writer and novelist who resides in central Virginia with my wife of 40 years, horse, dogs, cats and chickens.
As a freelance writer I write about "People & Horses Helping Horses & People." I've had columns in TRAIL BLAZER and NATURAL HORSE magazines. These stories tell of the wonderful people and horses who give so much to help others. I write about therapeutic riding centers where tireless volunteers and remarkable horses show little girls with spina bifida that they can indeed sit tall, and smile wide, and mounted patrol officers, who with their steadfast horses, teach at-risk children the value of responsibility, respect and a job well done. I write stories of special horses who change lives, and the people and organizations who help them do it.
My articles have been featured in Trial Blazer, Trail Rider, Hoofbeats and more than a dozen magazines.

The Coffee Clutch Gang

Here we are The Coffee Clutch Gang. Kessy munching hay, Tigger on my lap, Saturday getting his back scratched. Zoe is making sure everything is alright with the perimeters. She zooms through every few minutes. Miss Kitty is taking in all the activity. We've lost Zoe, Tigger and Miss Kitty. We have new members to the Coffee Clutch. A new dog-Sadie and three new cats-Fluffernutter, Danielle Striped Tiger and Bullet. Saturday and Kessy enjoy having the new critters in the crew.

Horses Among Us , Thank God

"When I think of the horse's spirit and how it has selflessly carried the spirit of man through the ages I'm awed at the nobility of them. How they have answered every call with strength, beauty and unquestioning devotion. No matter the sacrifice. Today, the noble horse is embarking on perhaps its most important calling … The healing of man."~ Dutch HenryRead my story "Horses Among Us, Thank God" here.